Kansas State University Athletics
Saturday, September 11
Manhattan, Kan.
11 a.m.
Kansas State University
6-2,0-0Big 12
3
vs
2
Fresno State
3-3,0-0Mountain West
1
2
3
4
5
F
Fresno St.
25
10
21
25
8
2
Kansas St.
23
25
25
18
15
3
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Photo by: Scott D. Weaver / K-State Athletics
Cats Run Winning Streak to Five, Claim K-State Invitational Title
Sep 11, 2021 | Volleyball
MANHATTAN, Kan. – For the second straight day, K-State found a way to hang on for a five-set victory, as the Wildcats outlasted Fresno State Saturday at Bramlage Coliseum, 23-25, 25-10, 25-21, 18-25, 15-8, to complete an undefeated weekend at the K-State Invitational.
Aliyah Carter turned in her second straight double-double, including a career-high 20 digs to go with 16 kills, on her way to being named tournament MVP. Haley Warner led all players Saturday with 18 kills, coming at a .455 clip, while Jayden Nembhard came off the bench to hit .393 in recording a season-high 14 kills.
K-State (6-2) pushed its winning streak to five matches and improved its record to 3-0 in five-set contests this season. Dating back to last season, the Wildcats have won seven of their last eight five-setters.
"What I love about these guys is when their backs are against the wall, they are at their best," said head coach Suzie Fritz. "It's really a great quality. If we can just figure out how to do that a little bit sooner, I think they can be pretty special.
"We hit .300, and it feels pretty good to do that. (Haley) Warner carried a significant load. I thought (Jayden) Nembhard came in and played really well. Kayley Hollywood had a nice match, so it's exciting to see some of those folks be able to contribute in meaningful ways."
The Cats offense clicked at a .306 team efficiency, marking the second time this season they have hit north of .300 in a five-set match. In the fifth, K-State put down 13 kills without an error in hitting .591.
Warner collected five of her 18 kills in the fifth set without committing an error on seven attacks (714). Carter, Hollywood and Nembhard each logged a pair of kills in the decisive set.
"We were a little bit physically depleted," Fritz added. "Travel last week and the cumulative effect of training and competition. There's a lack of consistency, some mid-match consistency that we've got to figure out how to manage that a little bit better. Coming into the weekend, we hadn't been starting out very well. I think we saw a little bit of that today. There are moments where I feel we can play with anybody. When we're good, we're really good."
Coming off the bench late in the opening set, Nembhard's stat line showed just one kill through two sets. However, over the course of the next three frames, the sophomore outside hitter went on to collect 13 kills on 27 attacks, including six kills in the third.
"I'm really proud of her," Fritz said of Nembhard. "I thought she played tremendously. Holly (Bonde) had a great match last night. I think the thing is just assessing from night to night who is capable of being able to go. We do generally have a lot of confidence in all of our outside hitters to be able to deliver when necessary. She was rested. She looked good and looked like she had good legs."
"I just tell myself every day that it's a new day and to improve myself and get better," said Nembhard. "Seeing my teammates celebrate and support me from the sideline when I do go in, that gives me a lot of confidence. It's just playing constantly with a chip on my shoulder every single time I go out there and just knowing that I'm capable of playing out here and just doing what I can."
K-State's defensive effort, spearheaded by 10 total team blocks and three players with double-figure digs, helped limit Fresno State (3-3) to a.188 hitting percentage. Hollywood led the Cats with six blocks while Warner added five.
In addition to Carter's 20 digs, libero Mackenzie Morris picked up 17 and defensive specialist Loren Hinkle had a season-high 16. Hinkle added three service aces.
"The one that really jumps out is Loren Hinkle, who played three rotations at left back and getting 16 digs," added Fritz on her team's defensive effort. "She's the one that really jumps off the page for me. I thought she did a really terrific job in left back. There were a lot of balls and a lot of offense coming her way. I just thought she stayed in a great position, took some shots, and she really stood out to me today."
The 10 team blocks mark the sixth time in eight matches this season the Cats have eclipsed double figures. K-State has also out-blocked every opponent this season, as the Bulldogs had seven on the day.
Joining Carter on the K-State Invitational All-Tournament Team was sophomore middle blocker Kadye Fernholz. In Saturday's match, Fernholz carded eight kills and four blocks with a pair of service aces. She hit .321 on the weekend to go with a team-high 15 blocks (1.15 per set).
K-State produced 14 more kills than the Bulldogs, owning a 67-53 edge in the category.
Fresno State was led by Amaria Kelley's 15 kills. Savanah Smith registered 13 at a .407 pace and Desiree Sukhov added 11.
Setter Mikayla Weiss turned in a double-double with 38 assists and 16 digs. Weis added five kills, an ace and a block.
On Tuesday, K-State heads to Columbia, Missouri to reunite with former conference foe Missouri at 4 p.m. The matchup with the Tigers will air on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app. Radio coverage is also available on News Radio KMAN (93.3 FM, 1350 AM) with free, live audio available at K-StateSports.com/watch.
K-STATE INVITATIONAL ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Aliyah Carter, K-State (MVP)
Kadye Fernholz, K-State
Emily Banitt, Loyola
Addie Barnes, Loyola
Tria McLean, Ohio
Amaria Kelley, Fresno State
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
NOTES
Aliyah Carter turned in her second straight double-double, including a career-high 20 digs to go with 16 kills, on her way to being named tournament MVP. Haley Warner led all players Saturday with 18 kills, coming at a .455 clip, while Jayden Nembhard came off the bench to hit .393 in recording a season-high 14 kills.
K-State (6-2) pushed its winning streak to five matches and improved its record to 3-0 in five-set contests this season. Dating back to last season, the Wildcats have won seven of their last eight five-setters.
"What I love about these guys is when their backs are against the wall, they are at their best," said head coach Suzie Fritz. "It's really a great quality. If we can just figure out how to do that a little bit sooner, I think they can be pretty special.
"We hit .300, and it feels pretty good to do that. (Haley) Warner carried a significant load. I thought (Jayden) Nembhard came in and played really well. Kayley Hollywood had a nice match, so it's exciting to see some of those folks be able to contribute in meaningful ways."
The Cats offense clicked at a .306 team efficiency, marking the second time this season they have hit north of .300 in a five-set match. In the fifth, K-State put down 13 kills without an error in hitting .591.
Warner collected five of her 18 kills in the fifth set without committing an error on seven attacks (714). Carter, Hollywood and Nembhard each logged a pair of kills in the decisive set.
"We were a little bit physically depleted," Fritz added. "Travel last week and the cumulative effect of training and competition. There's a lack of consistency, some mid-match consistency that we've got to figure out how to manage that a little bit better. Coming into the weekend, we hadn't been starting out very well. I think we saw a little bit of that today. There are moments where I feel we can play with anybody. When we're good, we're really good."
Coming off the bench late in the opening set, Nembhard's stat line showed just one kill through two sets. However, over the course of the next three frames, the sophomore outside hitter went on to collect 13 kills on 27 attacks, including six kills in the third.
"I'm really proud of her," Fritz said of Nembhard. "I thought she played tremendously. Holly (Bonde) had a great match last night. I think the thing is just assessing from night to night who is capable of being able to go. We do generally have a lot of confidence in all of our outside hitters to be able to deliver when necessary. She was rested. She looked good and looked like she had good legs."
"I just tell myself every day that it's a new day and to improve myself and get better," said Nembhard. "Seeing my teammates celebrate and support me from the sideline when I do go in, that gives me a lot of confidence. It's just playing constantly with a chip on my shoulder every single time I go out there and just knowing that I'm capable of playing out here and just doing what I can."
K-State's defensive effort, spearheaded by 10 total team blocks and three players with double-figure digs, helped limit Fresno State (3-3) to a.188 hitting percentage. Hollywood led the Cats with six blocks while Warner added five.
In addition to Carter's 20 digs, libero Mackenzie Morris picked up 17 and defensive specialist Loren Hinkle had a season-high 16. Hinkle added three service aces.
"The one that really jumps out is Loren Hinkle, who played three rotations at left back and getting 16 digs," added Fritz on her team's defensive effort. "She's the one that really jumps off the page for me. I thought she did a really terrific job in left back. There were a lot of balls and a lot of offense coming her way. I just thought she stayed in a great position, took some shots, and she really stood out to me today."
The 10 team blocks mark the sixth time in eight matches this season the Cats have eclipsed double figures. K-State has also out-blocked every opponent this season, as the Bulldogs had seven on the day.
Joining Carter on the K-State Invitational All-Tournament Team was sophomore middle blocker Kadye Fernholz. In Saturday's match, Fernholz carded eight kills and four blocks with a pair of service aces. She hit .321 on the weekend to go with a team-high 15 blocks (1.15 per set).
K-State produced 14 more kills than the Bulldogs, owning a 67-53 edge in the category.
Fresno State was led by Amaria Kelley's 15 kills. Savanah Smith registered 13 at a .407 pace and Desiree Sukhov added 11.
Setter Mikayla Weiss turned in a double-double with 38 assists and 16 digs. Weis added five kills, an ace and a block.
On Tuesday, K-State heads to Columbia, Missouri to reunite with former conference foe Missouri at 4 p.m. The matchup with the Tigers will air on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app. Radio coverage is also available on News Radio KMAN (93.3 FM, 1350 AM) with free, live audio available at K-StateSports.com/watch.
K-STATE INVITATIONAL ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Aliyah Carter, K-State (MVP)
Kadye Fernholz, K-State
Emily Banitt, Loyola
Addie Barnes, Loyola
Tria McLean, Ohio
Amaria Kelley, Fresno State
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- K-State produced a .306 hitting percentage (67 kills, 18 errors, 160 attacks).
- Fresno State hit .188 (53 kills, 23 errors, 160 attacks).
- Warner led K-State with 18 kills and a .455 hitting efficiency.
- Carter logged the first 20-dig performance of her career in a double-double effort (16 kills).
- Carter has turned in a double-double in back-to-back outings and now has four on the season.
- Nembhard came off the bench to produce 14 kills, a season high, at a .393 clip.
- Three Cats reached double-digit digs, as Morris had 17 and Hinkle added 16.
- Hinkle's 16 digs were a season high while her three aces led the team.
- Hollywood paced all players with six blocks.
- As a team, K-State tallied 10 total blocks.
- The Wildcats have reached double-figure blocks in six of eight contests this season.
- The Cats have out-blocked every opponent this year.
- Adams-Kaonohi's 58 assists were a season high and one shy of matching her career-best output.
- Each side served up eight aces.
- Kelley led the Bulldogs with 15 kills.
- Smith (13) and Sukhov (11) each reached double-figure kills.
- Weiss produced a double-double with 38 assists and 16 dig for Fresno State.
NOTES
- K-State leads the all-time series with Fresno State, 3-0.
- The Wildcats are 2-0 at home against the Bulldogs.
- Fritz is 3-0 in her career vs. Fresno State and 9-2 against teams from the Mountain West Conference.
- The Wildcats are 28-7 all-time in Bramlage Coliseum.
- The Cats have swept the K-State Invitational for the third time in the last four seasons.
- K-State is 3-0 in five-set matches this season and have won seven of its last eight five-setters, dating back to last season.
- Since 2017, the Cats have played 35 five-set contests, going 18-17.
- K-State extended its season-long winning streak to five matches.
CATS WIN!!!#KStateVB pic.twitter.com/1jcqfXFdHl
— K-State Volleyball (@KStateVB) September 11, 2021
WOOOOO 🚀 Cats Baby! 😼#KStateVB x #BuiltDifferent pic.twitter.com/ag67vzInhQ
— K-State Volleyball (@KStateVB) September 11, 2021
5⃣ set win for 5⃣ straight wins!#KStateVB pic.twitter.com/fdJ7sRyRkh
— K-State Volleyball (@KStateVB) September 11, 2021
Team Stats
Fresno
KState
Kills
53
67
Errors
23
18
Attempts
160
160
Hitting %
.188
.306
Points
68
85
Assists
52
62
Aces
8
8
Blocks
7
10
Game Leaders
Kills
18
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Kills
16
Aces
1
Blocks
4
Kills
14
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
8
Aces
2
Blocks
4
Players Mentioned
OH
/ VolleyballMB
/ Volleyball
DS/L
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
DS/L
/ VolleyballOH/OPP
/ VolleyballOPP
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